Safety hat



Oct. 24, 1939. H. a. LEWIS 2,177,145

7 SAFETY am:

Filed Oct. 15, 1935 [/v YEN TOR Ho WA R0 8. L Ewas Arroe/wsx Patented on. 24, 1939 a 2,177,145

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETY HAT Howard B. Lewis, Venice, Calif.

Application October 15, 1935, Serial No. 45,039

11 Claims. (01. 2-4) My invention relates to a protecting device, and It is a corresponding object of my invention to more particularly to a safety hat. Provide a rigid crown and head engaging means In many fields of work, such as the construction for supporting the crown in spaced relation to the of oil well derrlcks, buildings and tunnels, and in head, whichilead engaging means is adjustable to 5 mining operations, there is a considerable hazard vary the extent to which the head may project 6 from falling objects which frequently maim or kill into the crown. the workmen. In such fields of work as mining, A head protecting device formed entirely of a there is also a considerable danger of head in'jurcomparatively rigid material, such as metal, is ies to the workmen resulting from collision with objectionable because of the likelihood of its being 10 depending or projecting ledges or the like. broken or deformed when it is dropped or when its m It is an object of my invention to provide a head edge is subjected to impact. Further, such an all protector which will effectively prevent injury to metal head p otec s Objectionable 111 some the head of the workman from impact with such fields of work because of destructive effect, parobjects. ticularly'of its edge, upon materials such as sacks More specifically, it is an object of my invention of C ent Ca e D the Shoulders the to provide such a device which will absorb a part wearer. of the force of impact of objects striking the It is a purpose of my invention to remedy these device. and dissipate the remainder of such force objections by providing a head gear which inby applying it over broad areas of the head of the cl s a id m al crown n a rim or r f wearer to prevent that injury which would accrue resilient or deformable material which will cushif such force were suddenly applied to a smali area ion the impact of the head gear when it is dropped of the head. and prevent damage to itself or to objects with In some flelds of work where a device for prowhich it o es in Contact. tecting the head of the workman from impact is In order to increase the comfort of the wearer,

as desirable, the temperature is quite high and the it is still another object of my invention to provide shielding of the head of the workman from heat a protective hat which includes a crown the outer rays is necessary. surface of which constitutes a reflecting surface It is an object of my invention to provide a head d a forwardly P ojecting po t o end Out gear the outer surface of which presents a reflect- Ove the eyes of t a this Projecting P o In ing surface for reflecting a substantial proportion having at least its lower surface as a light abs bof the light and heat rays impinging thereon. ins medi m as n s ed with a li reflec in Further, it is another of my objects to provide a e umprotecting device in which the reflecting surface Embodiments of my invention capable of acis maintained in spacial relation with the head of c p n e f e l; i s d pu p ll the wearer so that the free circulation of air and Ot ers, which will be made evident hereina between the head gear and the head is permitted f r. ar illu a d in t drawing. in w at all times. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred em- To maintain the efllciency of the reflecting surbodiment of my invention; face it is desirable that it be of comparatively Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the embodiment m rigid construction. Since the heads of the wearillustrated n ers vary greatly in their outline, it is not expedi- Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken as indicated by ant to form the rigid reflecting element of such t e li o head gear to snugly fit the head of the wearer. ig. 4 s a a m a y ti nal v w f an It is another purpose of this invention, therealterna ive means of s urin th h ad n a in 4.5 fore, to provide a head protector which includes a member to the crown: and

comparatively rigid reflecting crown member and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a sechead engaging means connected thereto and conand alternative embodiment of such a means. forming to the outline of the head of the wearer Referring to the drawing, which is for illustraindependently of the outline of said reflecting tive p p es O y. t u e al l d cates the crown. crown of the head protecting device of my inven- Likewise, the extent to which the heads of tion. The crown I I may be semi-spherical in wearers project into the crowns of such head proshape, but is preferably semi-ellipsoidal, as illustectors to provide the maximum comfort to the trated in the drawing. and is provided with an wearers varies with the shapes of the heads of the outwardly flared portion l2 adjacent its edge. 86 wearers. The crown II is formed of impact resisting material, and is made as thin as possible commensurate with the desired resistance to impact to diminish ,its weight and provide consequent comfort to the wearer. I have found that duralumin of a thickness of about .032 inch is a metal well iitted for making the crown The'crown is preferably in one piece, the metal being stamped into the desired shape, although it is possible to form the crown of several pieces.

The exterior of the crown H is highly polished or heated in any suitable manner to provide a reflecting surface, indicated by the numeral I3. If desired, this reflecting surface l3 may be secured by electroplating, but I have found that such metals as duralumin when polished provide a surface of suilicient reflecting qualities to reflect substantially all of the heat and light rays impinging thereon and to absorb only an extremely small proportion of such heat rays.

Formed in the outwardly flared portion of the crown II is a plurality of openings l4. A bead I! of a resilient or deformable material, such as rubber, is formed upon the upper and lower surface of the outwardly flared portion I2 and securely fastened thereto by portions extending through the openings l4. The head I! is a part of a brim l3 which includes an outwardly declining portion l1 and an upwardly projecting edge bead l3. Reinforcing ribs l3 may be provided extending between the heads I! and I3 if desired. The beads i6 and ii are preferably not equidistant but, as illustrated in Fig. 1, are closest together at the sides of the crown, and are at their greatest distance fromeach other at the front of the crown where a forwardly projecting eye protecting portion 23 is provided. A rearwardly projecting portion may be provided, if desired, to protect the neck of the wearer.

The beads I5 and I3, the outwardly declining portion l1 and the reinforcing ribs l3 are preferably molded in one integral piece, the mold being placed around the outwardly flared portion l2 of the crown so that when the rubber is formed in the mold it fills all of the openings l4 and thus fastens the brim l6 securely to the crown II, the brim and crown constituting a unitary hat-like member.

Extending inwardly from the head I! and pref erably formed integrally therewith and of the same material as the bead I5, are lugs 2|, illustrated as six in number. Each of the lugs 2| is provided with an inwardly inclined opening 22. As is well illustrated in Fig. 3, a tape or strap member 23 is passed through the opening 22 in each of the lugs 2|, passes beneath the associated lug 2| and extends upwardly within the crown II. The strap members 23 are a part of a cradle member or head engaging means 24 and are formed of any flexible material of sumcient tensile strength. I have found that woven cotton fabric is well suited for this purpose, and when employing such material I prefer to double it, passing the two free ends through the opening 22 in one of the lugs 2| so that the folded upper end of each of the strap members provides an eye or loop 23.

Positioned adjacent the lower end of each of the strap members 23, which end is indicated by the numeral 26, is an engaging member 21 formed of leather, fiber board, or the like, and positioned adjacent the inner side of the lower ends 26 is an outer fold 23 of a head band 23. The head band 23 is formed of leather or the like and is adapted for engagement with the head of the wearer. As is well illustrated in both Figs. 2 and 3, the band 23 is folded upon itself to provide an upwardly extending inner fold 30, and a reinforcing band 3| is positioned between the outer and inner folds 23 and 30 and is substantially coextensive with the inner fold 30. The reinforcing band 3| is selected for its ability to resist heat, moisture and tensile and shearing stresses. I have found that a thin band of composition or fiber board is well suited for this purpose. The ends of the head band 23 are secured together in any suitable manner, as by sewing, and the ends of the reinforcing band 3| are lapped over each other.

Extending through the reinforcing band 3 I, the outer fold 28 of the head band 23, the lower end 23 of a strap member 23 and the engaging member 21, is a fastening member 32, which may be a brad or rivet. One of the fastening members 32 passes through two thicknesses of the reinforcing band 3| so that the two lapped ends of the reinforcing band are secured together. The inner ends of the fastening members 32 are prevented from causing any discomfort to the wearer by the cushioning effect of the inner fold 30 of the head band 23.

Each of the engaging members 21 is provided with a slot 33 therein above its connection to the fastening member 32 and the associated strap member 23 is extended through the opening 33, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Extending through the eyes or loops 25 in the upper ends of the strap members 23 is a securing member 34 which may be a woven lace or the like. It is contemplated that the upper ends of the strap members 23 will be at some distance from each other and that the securing member 34 connecting them will roughly approximate a circle when the device is positioned upon the head of the wearer.

Extending downwardly from the bead I5 or the outwardly declining portion ll of the brim 20 at substantially the middle of each of the sides of the brim 20 is a lug 35 having an opening 33 therein. The openings 33 receive a chin strap 3'! which may be of woven fabric similar to the strap I members 23, this chin strap being adapted for extending under the chin of the wearer to maintain the hat in proper position upon his head.

With the head band 23 secured to the strap members 23 and the engaging members 33 in the manner described, it will be obvious that the head band 23 is permitted to conform to the outline of the head of the wearer even though this outline be different from the outline of the crown Thus with a crown of the semielliptical shape illustrated in the drawing, the space between the head band 23 and the crown ll may be substan tially uniform around the head of a dolichocephalic wearer, whereas for a brachycephalic wearer the head band 23 will be separated from the crown II a lesser distance at the sides of the crown than at the front and rear of the crown II.

It should be apparent also that by varying the effective length of the securing member 34 the distance between the upper ends of the strap members 23 may be varied so that the vertical distance between the plane of the head I! and the securing member 34 may be adjusted and thus the extent to which the head of the wearer projects into the crown may be varied. A tie loop of fixed length may be used in addition, if desired.

The formation of the lugs 2| .on the bead lS-or outwardly declining portion of the brim ll permits these lugs to be formed simultaneously with the molding oi the brim i0 and permits a portion of any impact to which the crown ii is subjected to be absorbed by the resilient material of the lugs 2i and the brim i6 adjacent thereto. The remainder of the force of impact upon the crown H is transferred through the strap members 23, the securing member ll and the head band 28 to broad areas of the head 0! the wearer so that an impact which, if it were applied to a small area of the head, would cause serious injury, is dissipated over broad areas by the head protecting device of my invention and causes no injury and llttle or no discomfort to the wearer.

The anchoring o the chin strap 31 to the resilient lugs and the resilient brim it causes the absorption by the lugs and brim of a portion of any impact tending to dislodge the head protector from the head of the wearer.

It will be apparent that comfort is assured to the wearer of the protecting device of my invention even in hot weather by the reflection of substantially all or the heat rays impinging upon the reflecting surface I! of the crown ii, and by the free circulation of air between the head band 29 and the crown ii and between the head of the wearer and the crown i l.

The alternative embodiment of the means for securing the head engaging member 24 to the crown II, which is illustrated in Fig. 4, includes eye members 38 of metal or the like which are secured in any suitable manner as by welding to the inner surface of the crown ii. The strap members 23 extend through the eye members 38 and are joined to the engaging members 21, the head band 29, the reinforcing band 3i and the securing member 34 in the manner previously dc scribed.

In Fig. 5 is illustrated another embodiment of such fastening means which includes a plurality of plugs or stoppers 39, each of which extends through an opening Ill provided in the crown Ii. Each of the stoppers 39 is provided with an enlarged head ll engaging the outer surface of the crown ii and is provided with an opening l2 therein for the reception of one of the strap members 23. This .form of securing means, by providing the member 39 of resilient material which is preferably rubber or the iike, accomplishes the absorption of some of the force of impact to which the crown ii is subjected in the same manner as that embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 and previously described.

In all the forms of my invention described, the straps 23 serve several functions. Thus, the upper ends of the straps in combination with the securing member 3i constitute the cradle 24; the lower ends of the straps serve as means for connecting the head band 29 to the rest of the assembly; and the intermediate portions of the straps are slidingly looped through apertures in the outer hat-like member to connect the hat-like member into the combination. It is apparent from Fig. 3 that the upper end of each strap 23 will be, in effect, supported by the wearers head; that the lower end of each strap 23 will,

through the medium of the head band 29, in effect, also be supported by the wearers head; that each strap 23 forms an intermediate downwardly disposed loop; that the outer hat-like member, when .worn, is, in effect, hung in and supported by the plurality of loops, whereby impact forces from the hat-like member will be distributed to both the cradle and the head band; and that the sliding engagement of the straps with the hat-like member permits adjustment of the relative length of each strap employed between the hat-like member and the head band. It is to be noted further that the engaging members 21 serve to maintain the loops and to keep the head band in place when the hat is not being worn.

While those embodiments of my invention hereinbefore illustrated and described are fully capable of performing the purposes and objects and providing the advantages primarily stated, there are various other embodiments likewise capable of accomplishing these objects and purposes and providing these advantages, and I therefore wish my invention to be understood as not restricted to the specific embodiments hereinbefore set forth.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a head protector, the combination 01': a metal crown; a brim of yieldable non-metallic material secured to said metal crown; and strap members secured to said brim and adapted, by engagement with the head of the wearer, for maintaining said crown in spaced relation with the head.

2. In a head protecting device, the combination of: a metal crown; a brim of non-metallic de formable material associated with said crown; flexible strap members within said crown and secured to said brim; a band secured to said strap members and adapted for fitting a head of outline different from said crown, whereby sudden impact on said crown is partially absorbed by said brim and applied to broad areas of the head by said strap members and said band.

3. In a head protecting device, the combination of a crown of impact resisting material of outline substantially larger than the head of the wearer; a rim of resilient material secured to said crown, said rim having a plurality of openings therein; straps looped through said openings and adapted, by engagement with the head, for maintaining said crown in spaced relation with the head; and a band associated with said straps and adapted for snugly encircling the head independently of the relative shapes of the head and said crown and for maintaining said rim in spaced relation with the head.

4. In a head protector, the combination of: a metal substantially semispherical crown the outer surface of which is a reflector; a resilient brim secured to said crown and projecting therearound; resilient lugs projecting inwardly from said brim; a plurality of strap members the upper end of each oi which is provided with an eye, and the lower end of each of which is passed through one of said lugs; an engaging member secured to the lower end of each of said strap members and engaging a portion of the same strap member above the associated lug whereby each strap member is secured to one lug; a securing member extending through said eyes in the upper ends of said strap members; and a band secured to said engaging members, said band, strap members, and securing member engaging the head of the wearer whereby said crown and brim are maintained in spaced relation with the head.

5. In a protecting device, the combination of: a metal substantially semispherical crown having a reflecting surface on its exterior, said crown being 01 dimensions substantially greater than the head of the wearer; a resilient brim secured to said crown and projecting therearound, the

lower face of at least the forward portion of said brim being a light absorbing surface, said brim having a plurality of openings therein; resilient lugs projecting downwardly from said brim; a plurality oi strap members of substantial width, the upper end of each oi which is provided with an eye and the lower end of each of which is passed through one oi! said openings in said brim; an engaging member secured to the lower end of each of said strap members and engaging said associated strap member above said brim, whereby each strap member is secured to said brim; a securing member extending through said eyes in the upper ends 01' said strap members; a band secured to said engaging members and adapted for snugly engaging a head oi outline diflerent from said crown, whereby impact on said crown or brim tending to move said crown into contact with the head is partially absorbed by said brim and applied to extensive areas of the head through said strap members, said securing member and said band; and a chin strap secured to said resilient lugs and adapted for engagement with the chin oi the wearer, whereby impact on said crown or said brim tending to move said crown to a greater distance from the head is partially absorbed by said lugs and said brim and applied to the chin of the wearer.

6. In a head protector, the combination of: a metal substantially semispherical crown; resilient lugs associated with said crown adjacent its lower edge; a plurality of strap members the upper end of each of which is provided with an eye and the lower end of each of which is passed through one of said lugs; an engaging member secured to the lower end of each of said strap members and engaging a portion of the same strap member above the associated lug whereby each strap member is secured to one lug; a securing member extending through said eyes in the upper ends of said strap members; and a band secured to said engaging members, said band, strap members, and securing member engaging the head of the wearer whereby said crown is maintained in spaced relation with the head.

7. In a head protecting device, the combination of: an outer hat-like member; a cradle within said member to receive the head of the wearer; a head band within the hat-like member; and a plurality of flexible members, each of said flexible members being connected at one end to the cradle, and at the other end to the head band and having an intermediate sliding connection with the hat-like member.

8. In a head protecting device, the combination of a crown of rigid impact-resistant material and a flexible brim of rubber molded integral therewith and encasing the edges thereof.

9. In a head protecting device, the combination an outer hat-like member; a head band within the hat-like member; and a plurality of flexible members radially disposed within the hat-like member, the inner ends or said flexible members being interconnected to form as cradle for a wearer's head, the other ends of the flexible members being secured to said head band, and the intermediate portions oi said flexible members being formed into loops in sliding engagement with said hat-like member.

10. In a head protecting device, the combination of: an outer hat-like member; a head band within the hat-like member; a plurality of flexible members radially disposed within the hat-like member: and means adjustably interconnecting the inner ends of said flexible members to form a cradle of adjustable configuration for a wearer's head, the other ends 01 said flexible members being secured to said head band, and the intermediate portions oi' said flexible members forming loops in sliding engagement with said hatlike member.

11. In a head protecting device, the combination oi: an outer hat-like member; a head band within the hat-like member; a plurality of flexible members radially disposed within the hat-like member, the inner ends of said flexible members being interconnected to form a cradle tor a wearer's head, the other ends of the flexible members being secured to said head band, and the intermediate portions of said flexible members being formed into loops in sliding engagement with said hat-like member; and means fixedly connected with said head band and slidingly engaging said flexible members at points above the sliding engagement between the flexible members and the hat-like member, whereby said means maintains the loops in said flexible members and supports said head band within the hat-like member when the head protecting device is not being worn.

HOWARD B. LEWIS.

. CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,177,115.

October 2h, 1939.

HOWARD B LEWIS ppears in the printed specification correction as follows: Page 2, first read treated; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 12th day of December, A. D. 1929.

(Seal) Henry Van Arsdale, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

brim being a light absorbing surface, said brim having a plurality of openings therein; resilient lugs projecting downwardly from said brim; a plurality oi strap members of substantial width, the upper end of each oi which is provided with an eye and the lower end of each of which is passed through one oi! said openings in said brim; an engaging member secured to the lower end of each of said strap members and engaging said associated strap member above said brim, whereby each strap member is secured to said brim; a securing member extending through said eyes in the upper ends 01' said strap members; a band secured to said engaging members and adapted for snugly engaging a head oi outline diflerent from said crown, whereby impact on said crown or brim tending to move said crown into contact with the head is partially absorbed by said brim and applied to extensive areas of the head through said strap members, said securing member and said band; and a chin strap secured to said resilient lugs and adapted for engagement with the chin oi the wearer, whereby impact on said crown or said brim tending to move said crown to a greater distance from the head is partially absorbed by said lugs and said brim and applied to the chin of the wearer.

6. In a head protector, the combination of: a metal substantially semispherical crown; resilient lugs associated with said crown adjacent its lower edge; a plurality of strap members the upper end of each of which is provided with an eye and the lower end of each of which is passed through one of said lugs; an engaging member secured to the lower end of each of said strap members and engaging a portion of the same strap member above the associated lug whereby each strap member is secured to one lug; a securing member extending through said eyes in the upper ends of said strap members; and a band secured to said engaging members, said band, strap members, and securing member engaging the head of the wearer whereby said crown is maintained in spaced relation with the head.

7. In a head protecting device, the combination of: an outer hat-like member; a cradle within said member to receive the head of the wearer; a head band within the hat-like member; and a plurality of flexible members, each of said flexible members being connected at one end to the cradle, and at the other end to the head band and having an intermediate sliding connection with the hat-like member.

8. In a head protecting device, the combination of a crown of rigid impact-resistant material and a flexible brim of rubber molded integral therewith and encasing the edges thereof.

9. In a head protecting device, the combination an outer hat-like member; a head band within the hat-like member; and a plurality of flexible members radially disposed within the hat-like member, the inner ends or said flexible members being interconnected to form as cradle for a wearer's head, the other ends of the flexible members being secured to said head band, and the intermediate portions oi said flexible members being formed into loops in sliding engagement with said hat-like member.

10. In a head protecting device, the combination of: an outer hat-like member; a head band within the hat-like member; a plurality of flexible members radially disposed within the hat-like member: and means adjustably interconnecting the inner ends of said flexible members to form a cradle of adjustable configuration for a wearer's head, the other ends 01 said flexible members being secured to said head band, and the intermediate portions oi' said flexible members forming loops in sliding engagement with said hatlike member.

11. In a head protecting device, the combination oi: an outer hat-like member; a head band within the hat-like member; a plurality of flexible members radially disposed within the hat-like member, the inner ends of said flexible members being interconnected to form a cradle tor a wearer's head, the other ends of the flexible members being secured to said head band, and the intermediate portions of said flexible members being formed into loops in sliding engagement with said hat-like member; and means fixedly connected with said head band and slidingly engaging said flexible members at points above the sliding engagement between the flexible members and the hat-like member, whereby said means maintains the loops in said flexible members and supports said head band within the hat-like member when the head protecting device is not being worn.

HOWARD B. LEWIS.

. CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,177,115.

October 2h, 1939.

HOWARD B LEWIS ppears in the printed specification correction as follows: Page 2, first read treated; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 12th day of December, A. D. 1929.

(Seal) Henry Van Arsdale, Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

